The Discount Detective

A market stall shouted “50% off everything!” Tryphonia narrowed her eyes. “Per cent (per hundred) means out of 100. Let me check the maths.”

A bag cost 800 shillings. “50% means half,” said Tryphonia. “Half of 800 is 400, so it should cost 400.” The seller had written 450. “Not quite 50% off,” she smiled.

At the next stall, sandals were 1,000 shillings with 10% off. “10% is one tenth. One tenth of 1,000 is 100. So I save 100 and pay 900.”